Translation guide
The English word 'none' expresses the absence of people, things, or amounts. In Japanese, this is expressed through negative verbs, negative pronouns, or quantifiers, rather than a single direct equivalent.
To say that there is zero of something, or that no one/nothing from a set exists or applies.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'nothing' or 'not ... anything'. The particle も replaces を or が, and the verb must be negative.
There is nothing in the fridge.
He said nothing.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'nobody' or 'not ... anyone'. The particle も replaces が or を.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'not even one' or 'none at all'. The counter word can change (e.g., 一人も, 一個も).
There are no cookies left at all.
Means 'not at all' or 'none'. Used with a negative verb or adjective. More emphatic than simple negation.
I have no money at all.
A noun meaning 'without' or 'none'. Often used in casual speech or as a suffix. Can stand alone as a short answer.
To say that none of a specific set of items or people applies.
Used for two items/people, meaning 'neither' or 'none of the two'. The verb must be negative.
To strongly deny that any part of something is true or acceptable.
A common phrase meaning 'That's not true' or 'None of that is the case'. Used to refute a statement.
To say that a supply or quantity has been exhausted.
Means 'no more' or 'none left'. もう indicates that a previous state has changed.
There's no more milk.
English 'none' often corresponds to a negative verb in Japanese, not a single word. Saying 'ナン' or 'ノン' is not Japanese. Always pair a negative form with a quantifier like 何も, 誰も, or 一つも.
全然 (ぜんぜん) is common in everyday speech and can be used with both positive and negative sentences (though traditionally only negative). 全く (まったく) is stronger and more formal, meaning 'completely' or 'absolutely', and is almost always used with negatives when meaning 'none'.
None of us knew the answer.
There was nobody in the classroom.
彼は友達が一人もいない。
He has no friends at all.
That movie wasn't interesting at all.
A: Any questions? B: None.
I have no plans today.
Neither of those two proposals is good.
Neither of them came.
Used for three or more items, meaning 'none of them'. The verb must be negative.
None of these books are interesting.
None of the candidates were suitable.
A: Is he angry? B: No, that's not the case at all.
Means 'absolutely none' or 'not at all'. Stronger than 全然ない.
There is absolutely no chance of that.
時間がもうない。
There's no time left.
Means 'out of stock' or 'sold out'. Used in shops or for products.
That item is out of stock.
I have none left.